benj005

P M T , comes to mind

PMT?

Do you mean PMS?

Even in Thailand it is possible for 1 out of 63,000,000 to have a bad day now and then

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

That's true. I guess I should just let it go.

Still it just wasn't this girl. I've had rude service when I was shopping in the Bangkok Mall last week.

Maybe Thais are truly becoming more westernized?

When I was in South Korea the service was normally outstanding, Much better than what I've experienced in Thailand so far.

Extension costs Bt 1,900. You only need 2 pictures copies of relevant passport pages, and departure card.

Thanks Paz. I remember you helped me last week. lol, sorry for asking again, I have been getting nervous as the day approaches.

1. What about a form? Is there a form that I should download and fill out before I head to immigration?

2. What about my other questions about bringing in a plane ticket or cash to show that I am a tourist and I can support myself? Do I need to worry about this or should I just do what you initially said? Bring Bt 1,900 and 2 pics of relevant passport pages, and departure card.

BTW, the departure card is the white paper that they fold and staple in your passport, correct?

Thanks again.

I thought Thais like to smile. This is what I've seen on travel brochures. Come visit the land of smiles! Well it's not all sunshine and roses fellas,

I was in Amazon Coffee yesterday purchasing a cappuccino for my girlfriend and I. The girl serving us had a sourpuss on her face. No smiles. Nothing.

She then slammed our coffees on the table, and gave me a smirk. If I wanted sh*tty service I'd go back to America. Obviously, I have met some wonderful Thais. The sour pusses are the people that I tend to remember though.

Do you guys agree, or do you think it's just my imagination?

I'm on a double entry visa. The first part of it ends this Sunday, but I'm going to immigration in Bangkok on Friday so I can get the one month extension. What do I need to bring so I can make this as smooth as possible? This is the first time that I've done this so it's a little confusing to me.

1. I've heard that there is a form that I would need to fill out? What is this form called so I can download and complete it before I go to immigration.

2. How much is this going to cost me?

3. How many forms of ID?

4. Ive heard that it's a good idea to bring $10k baht in cash so you can show immigration that you are truly a tourist and you can support yourself? Is this true? I use my CC all the time and I really don't want to walk around with a lot of cash. Can I just show immigration my credit cards?

5. Should I purchase a departing ticket out of Thailand? Do I really need this? The thing is I'm in the process of finding work and I really don't want to waste my time and money on a ticket that I will probably not need.

I'm sorry if I'm being redundant as I've asked this question before. I'd just like to be prepared.

Thanks.

And it was not packed by Russian ? You were very lucky !

 

I saw a few Russians.

 

I don't know if they would like to see Americans though. The Russian/ American issues are getting bigger every day. 

 

Hopefully, we can work something out. 

Did you need to show your passport?

 

I did not need to show my passport. My girlfriend had my passport in her bag so it would have been fine if they requested it. 

 

No issues. I saw a lot of farang men in skimpy thongs though.  :(

You could be right, but then again the school could have told him they are "one of the best, most recognized international schools in Thailand", although it is questionable. If you think posters are less than honest sometimes, schools are not always known to be truthful as well.

I do know of a well-known, although I wouldn't call it one of the best, international schools who have hired people without a full degree (one had an Associates Degree), but they were hired for specific responsibilities, such as teaching music -- especially if it is an instrument where it's not easy to find an instructor. I don't know if that job was a full-time position, or whether it was part-time.

I don't know of any of the better known international schools to hire someone without a degree for regular classroom teaching.

If an international school hired a "teacher" without a degree could they run the risk of having their standing pulled?

What about being possibly fined?

You know what, Thailand blows my freaking mind on that exact point for the exact opposite reason you gave. 

 

Schooling is a clusterfk (at least it was for my short stint). 

Ive taught in Japan (6 years), Korea (2 years), and China (1 year), all middle school. The students I taught in Thailand (P4-M3) had far and away the lowest level English. Far and away! 

I was gobsmacked to watch M2 students struggle to read a P4 passage ("This is my sister. Her name is... She likes... Her birthday is..."). 

I was jaw on the floor when they couldnt answer questions beyond "what's your name?" (what do you like?, do you like...?, do you have any brothers or sisters? - these are the very easy warm up questions i usually give to the students in the middle or low sets to try and ease them to the comparatives, pronouns, tense, direction questions et al). It was wide-scale. I even had to get my co-teacher to come sit-in on some of these tests (and even do some) to make sure a) it wasnt my speed/deliver/terminology; and b ) That i wasn't imagining it. 

 

But you know what i found most amazing?

 

I can pretty much get around anywhere in Thailand without a lick of Thai. Theres enough survival English in the general population to make speaking Thai utterly unnecessary. Its far more prolific in the general population than either of the countries already mentioned. I mean, i can get by wherever, but i dont even need some basic workaround phrases. Its just not an issue at all. In Korea youve got a bit of a chance if youre in a big city or speaking to some uni aged students. In japan, no chance, and in China, its pretty much non existent outside of schools (but inside schools, its kind of amazing). 

 

Its a weird weird thing that i could never wrap my head around. Either its the tourism industry at proper work, or every Thai person above the age of 23 has to go to an English boot-camp for 6 months as some kind of pseudo military service. Its just ass backwards. Schooling is incredibly poor. But after school, it just blossoms. Amazing Thailand.

 

It probably has to do with the fact that Thailand is primarily a tourist destination for western tourist. Out of school they have a greater chance to interact with foreigners than other Asian countries. That's my take on it.  

With so many superstar foreign teachers in Thailand you would think you can go to the Thai market and order in English. Obviously that is not the case. Whether or not the lack of English speaking ability of Thailand's youth is the fault of the Thai school or the teacher, the blame goes to the foreign native English speaking teacher. Perhaps Thailand has come to the conclusion that native English speaking teachers are not worth the money they are paid. If they were, surely the Thai youth would be speaking better English...perhaps there is a paradigm shift in this regards. Now that warm fuzzy feeling we thought the Thai teachers got when our pale faces graced their classrooms has all but faded away. Like it or not, Asean has paved the way for the foreign (western) teacher to be replaced.

Thai youth are horrible English speakers. Probably the worse out of all Asian countries. This happens when you don't take education seriously.

When I think about successful Asian Americans, I never even consider Thais. Normally I think about people from Vietnam, Korea, China, and Japan. Sadly, the Thais that migrate to America work on the low end of the social ladder. I hardly see any Thai doctors, lawyers, or teachers.

With so many superstar foreign teachers in Thailand you would think you can go to the Thai market and order in English. Obviously that is not the case. Whether or not the lack of English speaking ability of Thailand's youth is the fault of the Thai school or the teacher, the blame goes to the foreign native English speaking teacher. Perhaps Thailand has come to the conclusion that native English speaking teachers are not worth the money they are paid. If they were, surely the Thai youth would be speaking better English...perhaps there is a paradigm shift in this regards. Now that warm fuzzy feeling we thought the Thai teachers got when our pale faces graced their classrooms has all but faded away. Like it or not, Asean has paved the way for the foreign (western) teacher to be replaced.

Why would you say that? Does this hold true in countries like Vietnam? They big difference between Vietnam and Thailand is Vietnam takes education seriously.

Take a look at South Korea. In 50 short years they have gone from a country steeped in poverty to a very powerful country that competes in today's economic climate. Thailand on the other hand has such a bad reputation. They are just not taken seriously.

Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, and Laos are all going to be competing with Thailand. In the past Thailand was THE country to go to if you wanted to experience SE Asia. Not anymore. Times are changing. The almighty foreign dollar is going to go to the countries that adapt the English language.

short answer from me would be yes, we only got internet in our house for when im away so i can talk to the wife and kids on skype,

but saying that google has tought us loads about pig farming,,lol, i wasnt a pig farmer till thailand

jake

I thought foreigners weren't allowed to be farmers. Does the rule only apply to foreigners who want to make money from farming?

Does anyone care besides you that you are all tall blonde and fit?

Yes. The Thais do...

The lady boys like!!!

I wish I was a young, tall, handsome, fit blonde. I would have the world by its ballz. Instead I have brown hair, and I'm not that tall. Am I a failure!?!??!?

I think I'm gonna throw myself off the bridge.

Don't bother throwing yourself off the bridge. I am sure your OK. Give yourself some time and you won't be blond but your hair may turn white.

In the meantime, we should try to stay a little closer to the topic.

Sorry.

Just making light of what OP said.

Does anyone care besides you that you are all tall blonde and fit?

Yes. The Thais do...

The lady boys like!!!

I wish I was a young, tall, handsome, fit blonde. I would have the world by its ballz. Instead I have brown hair, and I'm not that tall. Am I a failure!?!??!?

I think I'm gonna throw myself off the bridge.

J/k...... [emoji3]

Of course the thais hate non thais, you are not welcome,

But but but but.....

I thought this was the land of smiles!

My girlfriend two little cousins who are 5 and 7 have a Filipino English teacher. Their English is bad. My South Korean students who are the same age would blow them out of the water.

Sad. :(

I believe the beach is called Sai Keaw beach. I don't know if the name is correct.

It was a pleasant surprise. It was very clean which I wasn't expecting. The water was crystal clear and a joy to be in. The only thing I didn't like was the ride up the side of the mountain to get to the beach. We were all crammed on a baht bus and the driver was moving very quickly. I thought we were going to spill over. My Thai friends and girlfriend were laughing at me. Has anyone been on this beach?

I've been on Pattaya beach and quickly left because of the filth. I was afraid I might actually step on a hypodermic needle.

A native English speaker is going to hold an advantage over people who speak English as a second language. When I was in Korea I worked with Korea teachers who spoke beautiful English. They spoke great English but they still had difficulty explaining certain things. They relied on the foreigners to clear up the issues they faced in the classroom.

We got paid more because the parents demanded ESL teachers from Western countries. It's not just about giving a lesson in English. It's also the day to day interaction with foreigners that makes us so valuable. Most students will never have the chance to interact with a westerner except in the classroom. Filipino teachers are not an adequate substitute for a competent and adequately trained western ESL teacher.

I guess this is why South Korea is a leader in today's economic climate. The Thais had better watch out because Vietnam is poised to be the destination and leader for foreign dollars. They take education and English very seriously.

He's African. I feel that this is going to put this teacher at a huge disadvantage if this girl decides to press charges.

 
It would have to be the girls parents pressing charges, and they would lose face with the school since, according to what we have read here, said "school" has decided not to press charges(support the parents) and dismiss the teacher. There is also the question about the foreigner being legally employed etc.. Exposure of an illegal worker at the school etc. may play a role in it all. Something seems wrong with this story because I just don't see Thai's allowing an African male hit "in the face" a young Thai girl at a school. The OP now tells us he didn't see the act so we are into second hand versions. 

African or not, hitting a student is inexcusable in today's climate. You just don't do it because it's been found to be ineffective.

Behavior management is an important component in teaching today.

Not going to happen. Never seen a crackdown like this. But salary haven't risen in my 16 years here. Shortages of teachers come and go. Salaries stay the same. Plenty of schools get rid of experienced teachers when their salary gets too high or they're too old.
Young, handsome / pretty and cheap- works for 8 out of 10 schools. Bodies in classes.

I understand what your saying, but haven't rules gone in effect that foreign teachers now need a bachelors or a teacher's license to teach in Thailand? Add in the new strict visa rules and I can see a HUGE shortage of foreign teachers. With ASEAN on the horizon I feel that this is going to put pressure on the government to raise English scores. I was told by a few Thais that Thai English scores were abysmal.

I just got here so I don't have your experience. This is all just speculation on my part.

No issues with the extension, TM7 form and 1900 baht.

You won't have a problem doing a visa run to activate your second entry at the expiration of the extension. They are currently lookingg at back to back visa exempt entries. Although some of the crossings in the south seem to have their own agenda!

I'm going to need a form for the extension? I will download the form this week. Thanks.

That's good to hear about the extension. Hopefully, I can find work so I won't need to do it. Thanks.

I'm confused like most other people.

I'm on a double entry visa. My two months are up Aug 17th. I plan to go to immigration on Friday to get the one month extension. I have never done this before so I don't have 5 years worth of extensions/visa runs on my passport. I don't see an issue with the one month extension.

On to the visa run. I just started the process of finding work in Bangkok as a teacher. I was going to South Korea in September but my job fell thru. Yes, I have a teacher license from America. I spent the last two years teaching in South Korea. If I can't find employment I may need to do the visa run.

Are visa runs not allowed anymore, or are they not allowed for people who have been abusing the system? This is the first time that I'm going to attempt a visa run. Hopefully, I can find a job so I won't have to do it.

Thanks.

He's African. I feel that this is going to put this teacher at a huge disadvantage if this girl decides to press charges.

First, let's discuss the visa crackdown. The big complaint with a lot of foreign teachers who teach in Thailand is the pay. I feel that the pay is kept low because of the backpackers. They visit Thailand and decide to teach to make a few baht. This is keeping teacher wages artificially low. When the visa rules go into effect this will have to end.

Now to ASEAN. I don't know much about this so hopefully someone can clear this up for me. By next year SE Asian countries are going to open their borders in an effort to boost the economy. Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Burma are going to be competing for foreign dollars. Speaking English is going to be very important, so there is going to be an all out effort on the SE governments to ramp up English in their school system. Thais haven't fared that well so hopefully the government will see this and take the appropriate steps so every student can speak English fluently. If not, then the other countries will get development dollars and Thailand will be left out in the cold.

The visa crackdown plus ASEAN will put pressure on the Thai schools to keep foreign teachers. Add in the need for a bachelors degree/teacher license and there will be a huge shortage of qualified educators. In turn, salaries are going to increase. Maybe even comparable to South Korea and Japan.

Thoughts?

I worked at a school in South Korea called International Language School. It was an international school in name only. It wasn't an accredited school with real teachers. It was OK for what it was. I was the only teacher with an actual teacher certificate.

I believe a real international would lose accreditation if they hired someone without the proper certs.